Live Blogging the Sinn Fein ConventionRichard Delevan is on the job.
McCartney is mentioned
several times:
"This Ard Fheis:
"Deplores the murder of Robert McCartney in Belfast on Saturday 30th January.
"Fully supports the McCartney family in their quest for truth and justice.
"Believes that whoever killed Robert McCartney should take responsibility and make themselves accountable in the courts.
"Recognises that large sections of the community do not have the confidence in the PSNI.
"Calls on anyone with information regarding this killing to come forward and make a statement through whatever channel they deem appropriate to uncover the truth and to secure justice for the McCartney family."(Ard Fheis = convention)
Martin McGuinness:
"What pains me most is any suggestion, suspicion or indication that the IRA could be turned into a criminal gang or a tool of individual interest, or otherwise engaged in criminality. And in that context I am both outraged and saddened at the involvement of a small number of IRA volunteers, in the brutal killing of Robert McCartney in Belfast 4 weeks ago."I don't know how anybody could think that the IRA has
not degenerated into a criminal gang. They are clearly responsible for the Northern Bank robbery. Although Richard sees that as the lesser of the IRA's problems (compared to the McCartney murder), I see it as the more serious issue long term, because it was approved by the high command. Apparently the White House agrees, as that appears to be the reason that Gerry Adams was uninvited to the WH St. Patrick's Day party.